4 {
Th e D i a r y o f L a u r a
English. Silvia is an ideal translator be-
cause she combines native Italian lan-
guage with knowledge of educational
theory and philosophy. She is also the
mother of four children, so Story of Lau-
ra connects with her both intellectually
and personally. Indeed, Laura’s diary
turns out to connect with many educa-
tors in a powerful way, no matter what
age group they teach, and it suggests
new ways to use pedagogical documen-
tation in early childhood programs and
teacher education and to promote a
family-centered, relationship-based ap-
proach to services for very young children and their families.
From the threads woven together to create this book, readers will con-
struct their own interpretations of what it means for them and their work.
Carlina Rinaldi opens the book with a history of how the educational di-
ary emerged as a form of pedagogical documentation, and thus her essay
provides the context for the original story as well as a glimpse into the
creative forces at work in the early years in Reggio Emilia and still alive
today (Rinaldi 2006). This chapter is followed by Story of Laura, much
like the original except now with the addition of text in English opposite
the original Italian. Next comes the account of the reunion at Arcobaleno
DOL-Int_2011-jh 2.indd 4
(Left) A teacher and older toddlers
look at a diary together, 1983.
The staff of the Arcobaleno
Infant-Toddler Center, 1980s.
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